If you’re simply stumped when it comes to picking out the perfect name for your Monterey, you’re not alone—it’s happened to the best of us! Fortunately, there are a few potentially surprising sources of boat name inspiration you may not have tapped into yet. In today’s blog, we’re looking at seven of them.

Literature

Are you a boater and a bookworm? If so, a boat name based on your favorite novel might be the perfect choice. You can pick a notable literary figure—anyone from Heathcliff to Gatsby—or a fictional world you’d love to travel to. You can also name your Monterey after a fictional boat, such as the Pequod from Moby Dick. No matter what you choose, your love of literature will show through.

Family names

Naming your boat after a special person in your family is always a meaningful gesture. It might be a family member you have lost, or even your spouse or child. This is a fantastic way to show your love and appreciation for this person, especially if they have the boating bug, too!

Pets

Do you have a four-legged friend who loves to accompany you on the water? Their name might be the perfect inspiration for your boat, whether it’s a playful name like Fido or Skippy, or a robust one like Maximus—if it fits your boat and cruising personality, go for it!

TV and movies

The TV shows and movies you love to watch can be surprisingly good sources of boat name inspiration. Name your Monterey after your favorite quotes, characters, and other cultural symbols (like “The Force” from Star Wars!). And of course, you can always opt to name your boat after a fictional boat from the silver screen, such as the Orca from everyone’s favorite shark movie, Jaws.

Your travel aspirations

Are you set on traveling the world, or is there a specific nook of the ocean you’re interested in exploring? Put your travel aspirations on your boat! Names like Globetrotter reflect those goals and show other boaters who you are.

A personal philosophy

Are you a play-it-by-ear sort of person, who likes to kick back and go with the flow? This personal philosophy translates well to boat names—in fact, many popular ones like Serenity or Island Time already make use of this way of thinking! Your boat name can also reflect a new lease on life or penchant for fun and parties on the water—whatever it is that matters to you.

Music

Finally, don’t forget to turn to your favorite songs as inspiration for you boat name. Many of Jimmy Buffet’s songs (and those of artists like him) have lyrics that naturally lend themselves to the business of boat naming.

We hope that these ideas help you find a name that suits you, your family, your aspirations and—of course—your brand new Monterey. Let us know what you decide on below!